Dividing Kuruba community agenda of BJP, RSS: Siddaramaiah

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah has said that dividing the Kuruba community in the name of reservation was the agenda of BJP and RSS.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, he said, The BJP is in the power at the Centre and the state. Instead of prevailing upon the BJP-led Union and state government to get a reservation for the Kuruba community, Minister K S Eshwarappa is agitating against his own government. This clearly exposes his motive, he chided.

Siddaramaiah said that he would not politicise the reservation issue. "Once the Kulashastra study is completed, we can demand the Scheduled Tribes tag for the Kuruba community. However, rallies and conventions are not needed at this point of time," he added.

Replying to a query on the JD(S) not contesting the upcoming bypolls, Siddaramaiah said, "The JD(S) has no strong base in north Karnataka. This apart, it wants to give its share of votes to BJP. Hence, the regional outfit is not contesting the bypolls," he said.

"The Congress is all set to contest the bypolls to Belgaum Lok Sabha, Basavakalayan, Maski, and Sindgi Assembly constituencies. The names of candidates will be announced soon after the announcement of bypolls by the Election Commission," he added.